Eight Groton restaurants cited for serving alcohol to minors

Groton — Town police and the state Department of Consumer Protection have cited eight restaurants and bars for allegedly selling alcohol to minors, after checks of 22 businesses Saturday night.

The alcohol sales compliance checks were conducted by town and city police, in conjunction with Department of Consumer Protection's Liquor Control Division. Volunteer minors trained and provided by the Governor's Prevention Partnership took part in the operation.

"We don't try to trick or entice establishments to sell alcoholic beverages to youth," Consumer Protection Commissioner William Rubenstein said in a statement Monday. "If asked for proof of age before making a liquor purchase, the volunteer youth will hand over his or her actual photo I.D., which clearly indicates that they are underage."

The businesses that allegedly sold to a minor will be brought before the Liquor Control Commission for an administrative hearing, at which time they will have an opportunity to address the charges.